By Al Hain-Cole

There is an intense rivalry between these two neighbours, and Al Hain-Cole expects the bragging rights to end up with De La Torre’s hosts thanks to the visitors' poor away record

North American football’s heavyweight clash takes place in the early hours of Wednesday morning (British time), when Mexico welcome the USA to the historic Estadio Azteca.

Neither side have enjoyed particularly convincing starts to the final round of World Cup qualifiers, but a win over their fierce rivals would serve as a significant boost on the road to Brazil.

El Tricolor are still searching for a first win after two successive draws against Jamaica and Honduras, but are favourites at 3/5 (1.60) with Bet Victor to come out on top in the game that matters most.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side bounced back from defeat in Honduras to secure a controversial 1-0 win over Costa Rica in a blizzard in Denver, but are outsiders at 21/4 (6.25) to pick up another three points in their enemy’s back yard.

Another draw would not be well received by the locals, but that result is on offer at odds of 3/1 (4.00).

The American decision to host Friday’s match in such extreme snowy conditions was intended to allow the team to acclimatise to playing at similar altitude to that of Mexico City, where they will surely need all the help they can get.

Last year’s 1-0 friendly win at the Azteca was Team USA’s first win on Mexican soil in 75 years, but was contested between two sides largely made up of reserve players.

With a full-strength line-up back in place, Jose Manuel De La Torre’s men will be determined to reassert their domestic dominance over their neighbours, and can take confidence from the visitors’ shaky away form.

Klinsmann’s team have lost two and won just one of their last four competitive games on the road, with a 2-1 victory over lowly Antigua and Barbuda their only success.

Considering the hosts have won 24 and drawn one of their last 25 qualifiers on home territory, those 3/5 (1.60) odds look extremely inviting on a Mexican victory, and should not be ignored.

American hopes will, as always, rest on the shoulders of Clint Dempsey, who has scored seven goals in eight qualifying games so far.

Considering his prolific international pedigree, 17/5 (4.40) seems like a great price for the Tottenham man to hit the back of the net in this game, and is well worth a punt.